- Title: Kobe Bryant's worn NBA finals jerseys and walk of fame handprints to be sold
- Date: 13th March 2020
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARTIN NOLAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF JULIEN'S AUCTIONS BEVERLY HILLS SAYING: "You know we look back at history he's been through so many turmoils in his own personal life, survived them, we will survive this but we are clinging onto hope and something a memory and that's, that's normal that's normal in this day and age we see that when any celebrity has passed away where people become very nostalgic. No longer can they go and see Kobe play but they can certainly own something from life and career."
- Embargoed: 27th March 2020 23:50
- Keywords: auction basketball bryant jersey kobe memorabilia
- Location: LOS ANGELES / BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES;
- City: LOS ANGELES / BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES;
- Country: USA
- Topics: Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA007C4W13JZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:A copy of Kobe Bryant's handprints, cast in cement outside Hollywood's famed Grauman's Chinese Theatre, are going up for auction in April along with other memorabilia of the basketball legend who died in January.
"The ceremony was taken inside Jimmy Kimmel was the host and these are the test prints that were done before the live showing among the live audience," said Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien's Beverly Hills.
They have a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-$6,000.
Bryant died at age 41 in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26 in the Los Angeles suburb of Calabasas. His 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people were also killed.
Demand for Bryant apparel and other items surged immediately after his death, with sellers on eBay and other sites asking tens of thousands of dollars for sneakers, jerseys and balls signed by the star.
The Bryant items were being offered by a collector in Kentucky, and that the sale as part of its annual Sport Legends auction was already being prepared before the basketball player's death.
The top Kobe Bryant item is a full Los Angeles Lakers No. 8 uniform that Bryant wore during the 1999-2000 NBA finals. It carries a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-$20,000
Nolan said, "You can see where there is the armband as in sympathy for Wilt Chamberlain who was passed away - number eight, Kobe was still playing with number eight."
A pair of signed game-worn Adidas basketball shoes bearing Bryant's No. 8 is expected to fetch up to $4,000, along with a basketball signed by all of the 2009-2010 Lakers team members.
The April 30 auction in Beverly Hills will be preceded by a public exhibit.
(Production: Jack Ferry/Austin Hendrix) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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